Alicia Keys’ “The Element of Freedom”: An Interview and New Music Preview

By

Jim Fusilli

Dec 14, 2009 8:00 am ET

Alicia Keys tomorrow releases her fifth album, “The Element of Freedom,” in which she blends her flair for old-school soul with the scratchy punch of hip-hop arrangements. The 28-year-old Keys was in Paris late last week when Journal rock & pop critic Jim Fusilli caught up with her on the phone for a conversation about her music and new approach.

The Wall Street Journal: Does ‘The Element of Freedom’ sound to you like an extension of what you’ve been doing or like something entirely new for you?

It feels a mixture of both. It feels a bit like an extension, but also that I’ve been able to grow to the next level. I’m glad about that. The album is a representation of a certain time in my life, and an understanding of what it means to decide what’s good for me and to create around that. Now that I feel like I’ve gone to the next level, the test for me is to see how much I’ve learned and continue to move forward.

More with Keys, her new music video, and a review of the album, after the jump.

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